Frequently asked questions

English is the most widely known foreign language in Tallinn, although older people are more likely to speak German. In most establishments in the tourist industry it is possible to use English, Finnish, Russian and German.

The national currency in Estonia is the Euro. Larger hotels, stores and restaurants accept Visa, MasterCard, Eurocard and American Express debit and credit cards. However, it is advisable to carry some cash with you.

Since Estonia is a member of the European Union, citizens of EU member states can enter Estonia without a visa, or even a passport, as long as they have a valid ID card. For further information about visas visit the Estonian Foreign Ministry home page.

Visitors from countries outside of the EU can purchase items without paying the VAT from stores that offer tax free shopping. Please look for a Global Blue Tax Free Shopping signage in the window. The minimum purchase amount is 38.01€. When purchasing tax free, a special form will be given in the shop and must be filled out by the customer. This form, along with purchase receipts and the unused purchases, must later be presented at the airport, at the border, on the ferry or the cruise-ship, where it will be stamped. When the forms are stamped, present them at a Global Blue refund desk to receive a tax refund.

For more information on tax free shopping and getting a tax refund, please visit: www.globalblue.com

There are maximum fares set for taxi companies, but fares can vary widely in allowed range, therefore the total cost will depend upon the taxi company you choose and the distance and time travelled. A taxi ride from the harbour to the centre of town costs about 6 EUR and from the airport, about 7 EUR. A more detailed overview of information about Tallinn taxis can be found here.

Tallinn uses plastic smartcard and QR ticket system. The plastic smartcard allows you to top up credit or buy tickets valid for different lengths of time. Read more...

You can still buy single journey regular paper tickets costing 2 Euros from the driver when entering public transportation. Please try to have precise change for the driver if you want to buy a ticket.

Parking on streets in the city centre, Old Town and Pirita requires payment. Parking vouchers can be bought from street-side vending machines or from newsstands. In some areas, vouchers are sold by parking guards.

Visitors with a foreign SIM card can also use a mobile parking app for smartphones.

Bus no. 2 leaves from the airport to the city centre and port every 20-30 minutes, and operates from 6:30 AM until 11:30 PM. Single journey tickets can be bought from the driver and cost €2. The airport bus stop is on the level 0 down the escalator. The downtown bus stop is located on Laikmaa Street, between the Tallink Hotel and the Viru Centre, attached to the Sokos Hotel Viru.

Tram no. 4 from the airport to the city centre operates a frequent schedule from 5:30 am until 00:45. The tram stop is located next to the terminal towards the city. Single journey tickets can be bought in cash from the driver for €2. The most central stop is the Viru stop.

A Taxi stand is also just outside the departure hall. The fare from the airport to the city centre is about 7€.